Dubai's real estate market is booming, but are you asking the right questions before investing?

In this week's episode, I sit down with Sonia Waters, Head of Sales at AYS Developers, to talk all things real estate – escrow accounts, how the market is evolving, and what makes Dubai such a hotspot for investors.

I'm also proud to officially welcome AYS Developers as the new title sponsor of the show. They're more than just a top-tier luxury property developer brand. They're a company that genuinely cares and reinvests their profits to fund meaningful initiatives. It's rare to find a brand that truly leads with the heart, and that's exactly why this partnership feels right.

If you're serious about investing in Dubai property, this is the episode you can't afford to skip.

05:57 - More about AYS Developers

10:56 - AYS Developers' project on Dubai Islands

18:03 - How the law protects international investors

26:09 - Steps to choosing the right developer

28:31 - How to choose a trusted brokerage

30:35 - Sonia's impact at AYS

34:14 – More about AYS' full property management service

36:33 - Sonia's journey into real estate

41:10 - What's next for AYS

49:35 - Sonia's personal charity work

53:43 - What to know about off-plan investing

Show Sponsors:

AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences.https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers

Allsopp & Allsopp: Redefining real estate, through cutting-edge technology and setting new standards for seamless, elevated customer experience. Keep moving with Allsopp & Allsopp.https://bit.ly/Allsopp-and-Allsopp

Socials:

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Follow Sonia Waters on Social Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/soniawaters/

What does it take to turn a childhood dream into a global career AND make Adele disappear along the way?

Rob Lake, one of the world's most celebrated illusionists and finalist of America's Got Talent, has done just that. But beyond the magic, Rob is also an entrepreneur who's built a successful empire around his craft.

From discovering his calling at 10 to winning the prestigious Merlin Award, performing on the biggest stages, and pulling off jaw-dropping illusions, this is a story of creative brilliance, business strategy, and relentless determination.

02:52 – Performing illusions amplifies parts of your personality 05:22 – Rob's first encounter with magic 10:09 – The dark side of the industry 16:00 – His first moment of success 19:00 – Behind the scenes of America's Got Talent 24:10 – What it means to follow your dreams 29:19 – Mentors, reflection, and life beyond the stage 31:10 – Magic as a business and the leadership lessons 38:00 – How do you keep evolving? 42:15 – Where Rob finds his inspiration 46:25 – Why giving back matters

Show Sponsors:

Allsopp & Allsopp: Redefining real estate, through cutting-edge technology and setting new standards for seamless, elevated customer experience. Keep moving with Allsopp & Allsopp.https://bit.ly/Allsopp-and-Allsopp

AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences.https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers

Socials:

Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/

Follow Rob Lake on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/roblakemagic/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/company/roblakemagic https://www.youtube.com/roblakemagic

What's the real cost of a bad hire, and how do you build a future-proof team in a fast-changing world?

Jonathan Holmes, Managing Director for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META) at Korn Ferry, one of the largest executive search and human capital consulting firms in the world, has spent decades helping businesses make the right hiring decisions and build stronger teams.

His perspective on business leadership, talent strategy, and career success is second to none.

In this episode, he unpacks what it takes to stay ahead in today's talent game, why employee churn is draining millions, and how job seekers can truly stand out.

26:20 – The cost of not investing enough to keep the right people30:47 – How to future-proof your business37:19 – Does DEI help or hurt businesses?

Show Sponsors:

Allsopp & Allsopp: Redefining real estate, through cutting-edge technology and setting new standards for seamless, elevated customer experience. Keep moving with Allsopp & Allsopp.https://bit.ly/Allsopp-and-Allsopp

AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences.https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers

Socials:

Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/

Follow Jonathan Holmes on Social Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-r-holmes/ https://x.com/jmsholmes

The scariest thing isn't change, it's never changing at all. So why do we resist it?

Najwa Zebian – poet, author, and advocate – has built a global following by confronting life's hardest truths:

Why we stay in toxic relationships,

Why walking away feels impossible, and

Why we struggle to truly own our worth.

In this episode, she opens up about loss, identity, and rebuilding life on her own terms. If you've ever felt trapped or afraid to move forward, this conversation will change the way you see yourself, and your future.

A special thank you to the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature for making this interview possible.

14:23 – The emotional traps that keep people stuck

20:30 – The struggle of showing up as your real self

26:40 – Navigating life between two cultures

31:11 – Forgiveness is a constant commitment

Show Sponsors:

Allsopp & Allsopp: Redefining real estate, through cutting-edge technology and setting new standards for seamless, elevated customer experience. Keep moving with Allsopp & Allsopp.https://bit.ly/Allsopp-and-Allsopp

AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences.

https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers

Socials:

Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/

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Who do you trust when the media is constantly under fire?

Hala Gorani has spent decades reporting from the frontlines – covering wars, breaking global news, and shaping how the world understands current events. Now, the legendary journalist and war correspondent is pulling back the curtain on what really happens behind the headlines.

From the mental toll of conflict reporting to the hard truths about bias, misinformation, and the future of news, Hala doesn't hold back.

Think you know how the media works? This episode will open your eyes to what it really takes to separate fact from fiction in a world drowning in misinformation.

A special thank you to the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature for making this interview possible.

25:05 – The pressure to get it right33:03 – Career-defining moments35:57 – From journalist to author

Show Sponsors:

Allsopp & Allsopp: Redefining real estate, through cutting-edge technology and setting new standards for seamless, elevated customer experience. Keep moving with Allsopp & Allsopp.https://bit.ly/Allsopp-and-Allsopp

AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences.

https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers

Socials:

Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/

Follow Hala Gorani on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/hgorani/

https://www.facebook.com/halagoraniCNN/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hala-gorani-959a71246/?originalSubdomain=uk

https://x.com/HalaGorani

Why do we never feel good enough, no matter how much we achieve?

Dr Jessamy Hibberd, a clinical psychologist, author, and expert in mental resilience, breaks down the hard truths about success, trauma, and self-doubt, and why even the most accomplished people feel like imposters.

She reveals why our brains are wired to focus on the negatives, how social media is warping our perception of reality, and why we're all caught in a trap of never feeling good enough.

This episode is packed with powerful, science-backed tools to rewire your thinking. Stop undermining yourself, and take back control.

A special thank you to the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature for making this interview possible.

12:29 – How social media is shaping our mental health18:06 – Real support vs corporate tick-box wellness39:11 – Suicide, pressure and perfectionism

Show Sponsors:

Allsopp & Allsopp: Redefining real estate, through cutting-edge technology and setting new standards for seamless, elevated customer experience. Keep moving with Allsopp & Allsopp.https://bit.ly/Allsopp-and-Allsopp

Socials:

Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/

Follow Dr Jessamy Hibberd on Social Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jessamy-hibberd-82a09a55/ https://www.instagram.com/drjessamy/

Is your memory a reliable record of the past? Or a story your brain keeps rewriting?

Leading neuroscientist Dr Charan Ranganath, aka The Memory Doc, joins us on Unscripted With Spencer Lodge, to reveal how our brains store, distort, and reshape our memories.

From false memories to the way trauma, depression, and even psychedelics impact what we recall, Dr Ranganath breaks it all down in a way that just makes sense.

And here's a big one: AI might be smart, but does it actually "remember" the way we do? Dr Ranganath reveals the surprising truth – and what it means for the future of technology, decision-making, and even our identities.

Have a listen; this one's fascinating!

A special thank you to the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature for making this interview possible.

10:45 – The nature of memory

22:39 – How mental health impacts the way we think and remember

28:25 – Transforming trauma

42:12 – Psychedelics and memory

49:15 – The nostalgia trap

1:00:03 – Why AI will never remember like we do

Show Sponsors:

Allsopp & Allsopp: Redefining real estate, through cutting-edge technology and setting new standards for seamless, elevated customer experience. Keep moving with Allsopp & Allsopp.https://bit.ly/Allsopp-and-Allsopp

Socials:

Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/

Follow Dr. Charan Ranganath on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/thememorydoc/?hl=en https://x.com/charanranganath?lang=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/charan-ranganath-1a1aa41bb/

Most people see the luxury, the glamour, the success. But what they don't see is the grit, the grind, and the relentless drive it took to get there.

Before she became a Dubai Bling star and one of Dubai's top real estate figures, Zeina Khoury arrived in the UAE with just $300 to her name.

In this episode of 'Unscripted With Spencer Lodge,' Zeina gets real about the sacrifices behind success, the impact of reality TV on her business, and why she refuses to play the victim in a male-dominated industry.

This episode is a reminder that success isn't just about what you see – it's about what you're willing to fight for.

15:22 – The truth about life as a reality TV star 29:30 – Leveraging personal branding for real estate success 33:48 – Why progress always beats perfection 46:46 – The challenges and rewards of running your own business52:50 – "If I can do it anyone can"

Show Sponsors:

Allsopp & Allsopp: Redefining real estate, through cutting-edge technology and setting new standards for seamless, elevated customer experience. Keep moving with Allsopp & Allsopp.https://bit.ly/Allsopp-and-Allsopp

Socials:

Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/

Follow Zeina Khoury on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/thezeinakhoury/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@thezeinakhouryhttps://www.youtube.com/@zeinakhouryhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/zeinaalkhoury/

Every billion-dollar business starts with an idea.

But turning that idea into a game-changing business? That's the real challenge.

As the co-founder of Stake, a fractional real estate investment platform, Rami Tabbara is on that journey right now. In just four years, 500,000+ downloads and 35,000+ investors later, he's disrupting traditional real estate models in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

This week on Unscripted With Spencer Lodge, Rami shares the highs, the challenges, and the behind-the-scenes of shaking up an industry.

If you've ever dreamed of building something big, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom. Don't miss it.

14:52 – Biggest mistakes in entrepreneurship26:40 – Key to raising money effectively39:59 – Pushing through the dark times44:58 – Do's and Don'ts of starting a business58:50 – Non-negotiables to success

Show Sponsors:

Allsopp & Allsopp: Redefining real estate, through cutting-edge technology and setting new standards for seamless, elevated customer experience. Keep moving with Allsopp & Allsopp.https://bit.ly/Allsopp-and-Allsopp

Socials:

Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/

Follow Rami Tabbara on Social Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rami-tabbara/https://www.instagram.com/ramitabbara/

From Jaipur, India, to building a multi-million dollar empire, Ajit Nawalkha's journey is a testament to vision, strategy, and impact. Coaching over 15,000 professionals along the way, Ajit is a force to be reckoned with.

On this episode of 'Unscripted With Spencer Lodge', Ajit breaks down the psychology of change, the power of pain and desire, and how to unlock your full potential.

As the co-founder of Mindvalley and founder of EverCoach, he's not just talking theory, he's lived it.

If you want real, actionable steps to reach your goals and bring clarity to your actions, this episode is for you.

Don't miss this one! You'll walk away with tools to start making things happen.

04:48 – Ajit's journey with Mindvalley09:46 – Why people struggle to take action19:46 – The role of coaches vs. mentors29:56 – Coaching strategies1:03:02 – Living in the present

Show Sponsors:

Allsopp & Allsopp: Redefining real estate, through cutting-edge technology and setting new standards for seamless, elevated customer experience. Keep moving with Allsopp & Allsopp.https://bit.ly/Allsopp-and-Allsopp

Socials:

Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/

Follow Ajit Nawalkha on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/realcoachajit/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajitnawalkha/ https://www.facebook.com/ajitnawalkhaofficial/ https://www.tiktok.com/@coachajit www.youtube.com/@mindvalleycoach